Our mission is to make participation in the sport of rugby safer and more fun at all levels. In order to accomplish this, we will assist in the reduction of rugby-related injuries by educating players, supporting parents, refeerees and coaches.
In doing so, we will introduce "The Science" of rugby and injury-prevention at an early age.
Perform at your peak, injury-free with the SharkSmart 10 point plan.
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Praise for Glenwood's swift action against dirty play in rugby
Schoolboy rugby administrators have praised Glenwood High School for the swift action taken following the foul play incident in the schools first team clash with Maritzburg College on the weekend, and reaffirmed the stand against foul play in all school sport.
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Discovery SharkSmart is a community-based injury prevention programme which has been in existence
since 2002 and is managed by Energi, a company based in Durban which provides consultancy services to
medical schemes, corporate and sporting bodies as well as schools.
Since its inception, the programme has reached many coaches, referees, parents, rugby players and medical service providers at schools and clubs in kwa-Zulu Natal. This has been through the provision of material and communications campaigns on injury
prevention and peak performance via the Discovery SharkSmart website and electronic mail shots, through
various print media as well as the development of tools such as the Neck Injury Prevention DVD and Medical
Guidelines, and presentations at schools, clubs and conferences and the development of the SharkSmart
Doping Hot Line.
This year, SharkSmart has launched a new, more-focused component to its programme. The following
schools will be will be participating in the Discovery SharkSmart Schools of Excellence Programme
during 2010:
Hilton College, Kearsney College, Clifton College, Crawford College (La Lucia), Westville Boys
High School, Hillcrest High School, Glenwood Boys High School, DHS, Maritzburg College, Weston and
Agriculture College.
The major objectives of the Schools of Excellence Programme are:
To assist in the reduction of rugby-related injuries by educating players, and supporting parents, the providers of first aid, referees and coaches;
To promote rugby as a safe sport;
To encourage school rugby players to play fair, and hard rugby;
To encourage the development of rugby at school level.
Each school will be required to subscribe to specified criteria, some of which include the subscription to the
SharkSmart Alcohol Pact as well as Guidelines on Concussion and Nutritional Supplements and the
minimum medical requirements at sports matches, promotion of the Doping Hot Line, and completion of the
Pupil Wellbeing Survey.
Various rewards will be allocated to the schools once they achieve the different criteria. Such rewards
include those which will benefit the schools themselves e.g. sports training equipment, medical equipment
and those which benefit the drivers of the programme at each school i.e. the SharkSmart Champion. Crucial
to the success of the programme will be the media coverage provided for the programme.
Once all the criteria have been met, the school will be accredited as a "Discovery SharkSmart School of Excellence".
A number of benefits have been identified for schools (and players, coaches, parents) to become part of the Programme. These include access to sports injury prevention and management expertise for the coaches and medical staff, better team continuity, reduced risk of injury to sportsmen and positive media coverage for the school.
For more on the rewards, click here
The Discovery SharkSmart Schools of Excellence Programme will ultimately benefit all participants in sport and more specifically rugby.
Participating Schools
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Core Strength
This can be defined as the strength of the muscles around the mid section that stabilize the hips and spine during movement. Strong core strength is essential to performance as it holds the body still which allows full force transfer.
For example, when tackling a player you hit them with your shoulder - A strong core would allow all the force in your legs to be transmitted through into your shoulder and onto the opponent.
A weak core would not transmit anywhere near the same force and you could see you body buckle and collapse under the pressure often resulting in a missed tackle.
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The Importance of Proprioception in Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
Have you ever wondered how it is that you are able to walk without falling over? How you can drive without paying any attention to your arms and legs while working the pedals and steering wheel? Or how you manage to put food in your mouth without watching your hand while you do something completely unrelated? These are just a few examples of actions that we take for granted in our everyday lives. These are however also examples of proprioception. . . .
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Understanding Heart Rate Training Zones
Heart rate training zones are calculated by taking into consideration your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) and your Resting Heart Rate (RHR). Within each training zone, subtle physiological effects take place to enhance your fitness.
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